Possible Complications

A follow-up exam in two to three weeks after the abortion is very important. You can make an appointment at Hope Clinic, with your own physician or a clinic close to home The doctor needs to know you had an abortion.

There are possible complications with any medical procedure, whether it’s getting your tonsils taken out, having a C-section, or having an abortion. Keep in mind that complications from an abortion are possible but not probable.

One possible complication is infection. You can help prevent infection by following our instructions. To help prevent an infection, you will receive antibiotics to take home. It is very important to start taking them the day of the procedure as directed until they are all gone. Also to prevent infection we ask that you do not place anything in the vagina for two weeks; no intercourse, no douching, and preferably no tampons. This will help prevent infection.

Another possible risk is incomplete abortion. This means tissue (sometimes placental)from the pregnancy is still inside the uterus after the abortion. This can cause bleeding and infection, but happens less than 1% of the time.

A missed abortion occurs when a woman is still pregnant after the abortion. This can occur in cases of a twin pregnancy, a tubal pregnancy, an early pregnancy, double uterus or other uterine abnormality. We send all tissue to a pathology lab after the abortion, and you would be notified if there were a problem. A missed abortion could also be caught at the follow-up appointment after an abortion, so please be sure to have your follow-up check!

Amniotic Fluid Embolism or Anaphylactic Condition of Pregnancy is an extremely rare complication of pregnancy and can happen during childbirth, an abortion, or miscarriage. Current theory suggests that cells from the fetus create an allergic reaction in the woman’s heart, causing her heart to stop, and resulting in coma or death. It is unpredictable and unavoidable.

A perforation (tear) in the uterus or cervix, bowel or bladder is another possible complication. The possibility is less than a l% chance, but it in some cases it could require surgery to remove the uterus, which means you could not have children in the future. You can help avoid this complication by lying still during the procedure, which most women are able to do.

Normal Bleeding varies from person to person. All of the following is normal:

1.	Bleeding that lasts 1 to 5 days

2.	No bleeding at all

3.	Bleeding off and on for up to 3 weeks

4.	Passing dark blood clots

If you have any question about your bleeding, don’t hesitate to call us.

You may experience normal cramping for up to 5 days after the abortion or no cramping at all. We give you a prescription for pain pills, which you don’t have to get filled unless you need them. You can also take an over-the-counter medication like Ibuprofen or Tylenol.

Remember, complications after abortion are possible, not probable. Most women leave the clinic feeling fine, return to their normal, physical activities the next day, and have their first period in 4 to 6 weeks.

Medical Abortion (the abortion pill) also carries certain risks. There is a less-thsn-1% chance of an allergic reaction (hives, itching, trouble breathing). If you have trouble breathing, go to an Emergency Room immediately. There is also a slight (less than 1%) but possible risk of hemorrhage within 4 weeks after taking the abortion pill which may require emergency treatment, hospitalization, and blood transfusion. Infection can also occur, but it is rare (less than 1%). Infections can require antibiotics or hospitalization, depending on the severity and can lead to death if left untreated. Contact us right away if you have a fever over 100.4 oF lasting more than 6 hours, severe abdominal pain, or a bad-smelling vaginal discharge.